BIODIVERSITY

ECOLOGY: The study of interactions among living and nonliving things ABIOTIC FACTORS Non-living factors Soil, temp., precipitation BIOTIC FACTORS Living factors Plants & animals

ORGANISM / SPECIES / INDIVIDUAL A group of organisms so similar that they breed and produce fertile offspring

All members of a particular species that live in the same area POPULATION All members of a particular species that live in the same area

All the populations that live and interact in the same environment. COMMUNITY All the populations that live and interact in the same environment.

ECOSYSTEM All the communities that live together with the abiotic factors in the same environment.

BIOSPHERE The combined parts of the lithosphere, hydrosphere & atmosphere where life exists.

BIODIVERSITY The variety of different species in an ecosystem. All of the variety of organisms in the biosphere.

Biodiversity Included organisms as small as unicellular bacteria to the largest of the top consumers The highest biodiversity is found in biomes that have warm temperatures and wet climates Examples: Tropical Rainforest Temperate Rainforest

Different Adaptations for each biome Tundra Animals have more insulation (fur and fat) and plants and shrubs are closer to the ground Desert Animals are cold blooded; most organisms can survive with small amounts of water Taiga(Boreal) Plants can survive colder weather (pine needles)and animals survive because they have more insulation Grassland Animals are generally herbivores and plants are drier and lay closer to the ground Temperate Deciduous Forest All animals and plants have seasonal changes and adapt to a variety of temperatures and climates Tropical Rainforest Contains animals that are brightly colored and are insectivores (venus fly trap); plants have broad leaves and absorb water from the air.

BIODIVERSITY IS DEPENDANT ON… Genetic Variation within Populations: The difference that exist in a species’ genetic makeup which makes one individual different from one another individual. Variations of populations with ecosystems Genetic variation within three butterfly species. Three different butterfly species (top row) show distinct wing colors and patterns. When individuals from the same three species are born in a different season, they each show different wing color and pattern phenotypes (bottom row). This is a reflection of the variation that exists in the gene pool.

What causes Biodiversity (differences amongst the species)? Why are we all so different? Differences in our genetic code (genotype: differences on the inside; phenotype: differences we see on the outside) This is called genetic variation Mutations in the genetic code cause variation in genotype and phenotype Genetic variation is found in all organisms and is believed to be the driving force behind evolution The species with dominant genes expressed for the necessary adaptation in a particular environment will survive and generally pass those traits on to their offspring.

Importance of Biodiversity include: Resource use: Species can provide us with food, industrial products and medicines

Healthy/Stable Ecosystems: Organisms are important to the flow of energy and matter through the food web.

Loss of Biodiversity Every day 3-4 species become extinct. Because of this we are losing many resources that we may need in the future Resources that are being lost Cures for diseases Food resources Building resources Chemicals for safer pesticides and fertilizers We need to slow this loss or the next species that goes extinct may be one that could have saved the human race in the future

Reasons for Biodiversity Loss Human Population Growth (Urban Sprawl) We need space to live but we would rather use new land and spread out rather than build up and tear down old buildings Plants and animals are “cleared” to make way for humans

Reasons for Biodiversity Loss Habitat Alteration Even if we do not clear the land completely, we can change the type of ecosystem that exist there Forests are changed to farm lands Deserts have more water placed in them to convert them in to farmlands

Reasons for Biodiversity Loss Habitat Fragmentation Organisms become separated into pockets Examples: Housing Developments Logging (deforestation) Highways Many human activities

LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY DUE TO: Loss of habitat Demand for wildlife products

3. Biomagnification of Pesticides a. Bioaccumulation is the build up of certain pesticides in the tissues of organisms (Ex. DDT in fish) b. Biomagnification is the increasing concentration as pesticides move up the food chain (Ex. DDT in bald eagles)

Pollution Introduced species

Reasons for Biodiversity Loss Invasive Species A new, foreign species that is introduced into an ecosystem that can destroy their new ecosystem Invasive species are always harmful to their new environment

Invasive Species of NC Wisteria wood climbing vines that “choke” the trees they invade Kudzu Vines Climbing vines that can destroy life under the trees and block out the sun; can also hide predators.

Invasive Species of NC Hemlock Wooly Adelgid  These small insects eat hemlock trees and slowly destroy forests in the taiga Fire Ants Their sting can cause anything from skin irritation to scars from infected bites

Reasons for Biodiversity Loss Nonnative Species A new species that is introduced to an ecosystem that does not harm their new environment This new species will usually fit into the new ecosystem fairly well

Reasons for Biodiversity Loss Overharvesting When too many animals or plants are removed from their ecosystems, the chance for genetic mutation is decreased because the organism is not there to reproduce offspring carrying the genetic mutation Examples: Fishing (trout and salmon) Deforestation

EXTINCTION Disappearance of a species from all or part of its range Mass extinction: an extinction that has killed many species at one time Ex) Dinosaurs Species Extinction: one species disappears from the planet Ex) Dodo bird, Tasmanian Tiger Local extinction: A species disappears from 1 location but may be found in another location

Today, we try to protect entire ecosystems AND single species. CONSERVATION EFFORTS Today, we try to protect entire ecosystems AND single species. Seed Banking Endangered Species Act (ESA) Land Allocation (preserves) Captive Breeding: breed endangered species in confined environment like zoos and wildlife reserves

Effects of Biodiversity Loss: 1. Endangerment/Extinction of Species a. Endangered species are at risk of becoming extinct. Extinction refers to the loss of a particular species (image shows extinct Carolina Parakeet) b. The Endangered Species Act provides protection for species recognized and listed by the government. This Act does not, however, provide adequate protection of the habitat. 2. Loss of valuable medicinal or crop plants, and other species that may be potentially useful to humanity 3. Lack of genetic variety makes crops more susceptible to disease, pests, and environmental changes